Santa Cruz was our next stop. We headed down to the boardwalk and beach for the day. Then out for Fanny’s birthday drinks!
Today we had special plans for Fanny’s birthday..... whale watching in Monterey Bay! We were up early, the sea was calm, the sun shining, the sea lions basking, an old bloke puking his guts up off the back of the boat, we were very excited..... and the whales did not disappoint. We saw 36 humpback whales and 20 rizzo dolphins. The undoubted highlight being the huge male humpback breach less than 20 yards from the boat;...

Leaving Santa Cruz, we had an impromptu tour of the homeless suburbs and a stop at a local donut shop with impeccably fresh pastries. Headed to Ano Nuevo to hike down to the shore ( 3mi round trip ) to see the migratory elephant seals, molting, sleeping and playing in the sun. Did you know the elephant seal can dive to 1500 feet assisted by their 65 % red blood cell content? The peaceful ride was interrupted by three crotch rockets lane splitting and racing up the coastal highway. A drive up highway 1 through Half Moon Bay and western San...

Met up with Joe and Mary in the warm but getting hotter tub this morning. Hung out a bit at the hotel so didn't put the kick stands up until after 11 am. Quickly hit the agricultural belt and tried unsucessfully to play the "name that crop game". Definitely saw oranges, almonds, onions, and strawberry fields forever. Mary and Cherie did some exploring and tasted some of the local broccoli. The "Oh Shit" moment of the day came after our picnic lunch on the side of the road when Joe realized he had left his wallet at the gas station bathroom...

Santa Cruz is our last stop on the California coast - from here we start our trek east. I was able to get reservations at Santa Cruz North Harbor RV Park. Our preferred RV park in the area is Seacliff State Beach but it books solid – fast! This was our first time to stay at Santa Cruz North Harbor. It is a city owned park with full-hook ups, back-in sites, located in the parking lot of the north harbor. The parking lot style sites are adequate in size, the harbor view is pretty and the location is quiet but the RV sites are on the busy, too...

According to Trip Advisor, the Arizona Desert Museum is the #1 rated attraction in Tucson. According to us, it was worth visiting for a third time. The environment, both flora and fauna, around here is unique and the museum displays it with such class and professionalism. The paid staff is supplemented by over 500 volunteers and the love from all these pairs of hands is clearly apparent.
The primary reason we visit the park is to view the raptor shows. These birds are kept in huge cages on a distant mountain and participate in the show if...

Today we left San fran and headed off to Facebook headquarters which happened to be down the road from Google - kids loved the office toys which were there for the staff to relax - I loved the massage chairs. We travelled down the pacific coast line which reminded me of the west coast and ended up at Santa Cruz - The kids tried to swim but the water was freezing - it is winter but it is hot.
Ange

Day 19:
Today saw us leaving San Francisco heading to Santa Cruz, it wasn't a very long drive and we took our time as well. Got into Santa Cruz just before 11am and after finding a park we headed to the Wharf. It was a nice walk to the end where we got to see 3 whales playing in the ocean within good seeing range and under the wharf of the up rights there was lots of seal swimming but most were sleeping. After that we went down to a restaurant we saw coming along the wharf that advertised Steak, vegies, potato, soap and bread all for just...

We made a quick exit from San Jose – not a great place to stay! We headed for Santa Cruz and the harbour. We parked and spotted a restaurant, (we both have special homing devices when it comes to food!). As we were walking along the harbour past all the yachts we noticed a head! Seals / sea lions. A harbour lady, keen to chat, told us they come into the harbour after the salmon who come in after the anchovies! We carried on to the restaurant and sat shivering outside until I went back to the car to get coats – the fog had come in thickly....

The sun was shining this morning so I’m back on the sightseeing trail. I drove about 45 minutes to Monterrey & stopped at the Visitors’ Centre where I got maps & some good information about how to see the best of Monterrey.
Much of the Old Town is covered by the Monterrey State Historic Park which has a Path of History with disks embedded in the footpath about every 10 ft so it’s pretty impossible to get lost. I walked the whole distance, starting at the Royal Presidio Chapel through downtown Monterrey to the old Fisherman’s Wharf & back...

It rained last night & has drizzled all day so I took the day off from sightseeing.
I just caught up on some computer work & started sorting my stuff & repacking, ready to fly home on Monday. Not a very exciting day at all but I think I needed the rest.

Now I’ve reached Spanish Mission country so I’ve got a new fascinating period of California’s history to explore. The Santa Cruz Mission is closed until Thursday but a much better option was the Carmel Mission, or to give the full name “The Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo”.
The San Diego Mission was the first one founded in 1769 by Franciscan priest, Father Junipero Serra (my kids all went to Junipero Serra High School in San Diego). What I didn’t know until today was that the Carmel Mission was the 2nd, also founded by Father...

I spent this morning catching up on my diary because I was too tired last night & had a lot to write about Fort Ross. While I was doing that I could also put through a load of washing so it was quite a productive morning.
After a quick lunch I went to find a Visitors’ Centre to get some maps & information about what to see. I love coming to an area which I know absolutely nothing about & seeing what I can find. If I’d known about Santa Cruz’s reputation for an ‘alternative lifestyle’, I probably wouldn’t have come, just like I probably...